cruciate

[ kroo-shee-it, -eyt ]

adjective

1. shaped like a cross; cross-shaped.
2. Botany. having the form of a cross with equal arms, as the flowers of mustard.
3. Entomology. crossing diagonally when at rest, as the wings of certain insects.

cruciate

/ -ˌeɪt; ˈkruːʃɪɪt /

adjective

1. shaped or arranged like a cross

   cruciate petals

noun

1. informal.
   1. short for cruciate ligament
   2. ( as modifier )

      cruciate problems

Derived Forms

• ˈcruciately, adverb

Other Words From

• cruci·ate·ly adverb
• post·cruci·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruciate¹

1675–85; < New Latin cruciātus, equivalent to Latin cruci- (stem of crux ) cross + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruciate¹

C17: from New Latin cruciātus, from Latin crux cross

Example Sentences

That action puts a stress in the anterior cruciate ligament.

From The Daily Beast

Cruciato-complicatus: folded crosswise: incumbent wings when the inner margins overlap; not well distinguished from cruciate.

From Project Gutenberg

It may even slip past the condyle and into the intercondyloid notch, and come to lie against the cruciate ligaments.

From Project Gutenberg

Each pileated piece of the skeleton has four equal, cruciate, triangular meshes.

From Project Gutenberg

The lateral branches of the styles are usually very numerous and regularly cruciate in alternating opposite pairs.

From Project Gutenberg